Can Fifa President Gianni Infantino expect another call from US President Donald Trump? Photo / Getty Images
Individualism versus the common good
I am surprised at David Harvey’s unquestioned acceptance of the supposed benefits of unbridled individualism on society (July 6), given his undoubted intelligence. I wonder if Thomas Jefferson would be so enamoured of the concept if he were able to view the inevitable outcome of his rather romantic proclamation. He was, of course, an example of the rather wealthy and isolated classes who embraced liberalism, with little real idea of the realities of human nature.
Individualism, as we now know, is a great concept, as long as everyone has the intelligence and knowledge to practise it to the mutual benefit of themselves and society at large – for the simple evolutionary reason that if society falls, it takes all individuals with it.
Of course, the United States is the classic textbook example of the long-term effects of the practice of individualism. Along with the undoubted technological gains of unrestricted entrepreneurship, there is the spectacle of a very wealthy country unable to provide universal healthcare to its citizens.
We now see the rise of what by any measure can only be described as fascism, bringing with it the incitement of those whose interests are purely personal gain, with no thought to the long-term repercussions. The super-wealthy entrepreneurs are enthusiastic supporters, as they seek to protect their wealth.
I would prefer to forgo the dubious benefits of having an Elon Musk in my society for the obvious benefits gained from practising the evidence-based principle of “for the common good”.
John Shapcott, Manuwera.
Raking the Covid coals
While minister Brooke van Velden is in her rights to ask for clarification about a finding of the second phase of the Covid inquiry on information provided about the risks associated with a second dose of the Covid vaccine to adolescents, the science in the area has moved on.
In a study in this area, the results of which were published late last year, it was found that the risks of serious side-effects from the Covid injection among adolescents did occur but were rare, and were much more likely to occur among adolescents who had not had the vaccination. In the words of a commentary put out by London’s Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children: “A major study which analysed anonymised health records from 85% of children in England has shown that rare heart and inflammatory issues were more likely – and lasted longer – after Covid-19 infection than after vaccination.”
So, yes, there has been a procedural misstep, but the evidence now suggests that the advice being offered at the time in the pandemic period was the best available at the time, but subsequently found to be incorrect.
Can we get over raking the coals from the pandemic, which in most respects New Zealand handled well?
Peter Davis, Kingsland.
Nervous over policies
Some time ago, I had a premonition that the taxpayer pool in New Zealand was diminishing. Last week, Bruce Cotterill (July 4) drew out some statistics and confirmed it.
Like Cotterill, the election promises of the leftist parties are making me nervous. We know that those utopian promises can no longer be fulfilled by excessive borrowings, like in the previous two terms of the Labour-led Government.
I am simply a hard-working, tax-paying New Zealander who hopes for policies that strike a balance between compassion and fiscal responsibility. I do not want to be penalised with a bigger tax burden for making responsible choices and for being a hard-working, conscientious citizen.
Sadhana Reddy, Lynfield.
Red card for President
Why should anyone be surprised that US President Trump influenced Fifa president Gianni Infantino to review a red card suspension of the star USA player Folarin Balogun.
While not upstaging the Maradona “hand of God” goal and controversy back in 1986 against England, the Trump intervention has caused a worldwide outcry which casts a very black cloud around the politics and administration of the so-called “beautiful game”.
The Trump administration is used to getting its own way with an ineffectual US Congress, so why not tell Fifa how to run its four-yearly global tournament?
It is Trump that should be given a red card but in reality. Politics, power, money and international sport are inseparable.
Bruce Eliott, St Heliers.
Hello, Fifa, this is Trump
Belgium defeated the USA 4-1 in their World Cup football match. No doubt President Trump will talk to Fifa, which will reverse the result.
P. Harlen, Mount Maunganui.
I wonder if the US President, with his vast knowledge of football, will manage to persuade Fifa that the score was fake. Just wondering.
David Laidlow, Rotorua.
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